Seasonable Truths in Evil Times, Sermon 3
The way to obtain a ſure and great Reward. SERM. III.
Matth. 19. 28.
And Jeſus ſaid unto them, Verily I ſay unto you, that ye which have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man ſhall ſit in the throne of his glory, ye alſo ſhall ſit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Iſrael.
And every one that hath forſaken houſes, or brethren, or ſiſters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my Name ſake, ſhall receive an hundred-fold, and ſhall inherit everlasting life.
IN this Scripture we have our Saviours anſwer unto Peters queſtion propounded at ver. 27. Behold Lord (ſaith Peter) we have forſaken all, and followed thee: what ſhall we have therefore? Our Saviour anſwers in the following verſes; and his anſwer is partly Comfortable, and partly Cautional. The Cautional part I have ſpoken to among ſome of you, from verſ. 30. But many that are firſt ſhall be last, and the last ſhall be firſt. The Comfortable part I ſpake unto the laſt Lords day in another Meeting. And being now deſired to ſpeak the ſame things unto you, conſidering that they are of preſent and univerſal concernment, I ſhall do it as briefly and plainly as I can.
The Comfortable part of Chriſts anſwer you have in v. 28, 29. wherein our Saviour Chriſt doth ſhew what great reward thoſe ſhall have that do ſuffer, or leave any worldly intereſt for him, and for his Name-ſake. Which reward doth either relate unto the Apostles, or unto others.
It relateth unto the Apoſtles, in verſ. 28. Verily I ſay unto you, that ye which have followed me in the regeneration, that is, in the preaching of the Goſpel. Preaching of the Goſpel is a regenerating work. The preaching of the Law is convincing work; the preaching of the Goſpel is regenerating work. Ye which have followed me in the regeneration, in the great work of preaching the Goſpel; when the Son of man ſhall ſit in the throne of his glory, ye alſo ſhall ſit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Iſrael. That's their reward, peculiar and proper unto them.
The reward which is more large, extending unto all, v. 29. And every one: not one of you ſhall be rewarded that are mine Apoſtles; but EVERY ONE that hath forſaken houſes, or brethren, or ſiſters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my Name-ſake, ſhall receive an hundred-fold, and ſhall inherit everlasting life. From whence then I took up this Obſervation; and you may obſerve from the whole thus much:
That whoſoever ſhall leave any worldly interest for Christ, and for his Name ſake, ſhall be ſure to be well rewarded.
He ſhall be well rewarded: for he ſhall have an hundred-fold in this life, and everlasting life in the world to come. And he ſhall be ſure to be well rewarded; for he hath put a verily upon it: Verily I ſay unto you, and every one that hath forſaken houſes, &c. So then, the Doctrine is clear, That whoſoever ſhall leave or forſake any worldly interest for Christ, and for his Name-ſake, ſhall be ſure to be well rewarded.
For the clearing of this, firſt, we muſt enquire what it is to leave any worldly intereſt for Chriſt, and for his Name-ſake.
Secondly, what the reward is that ſuch ſhall have that do ſo, and wherein it conſiſts. And
Thirdly, what aſſurance we may have of ſuch a reward.
And firſt of all, if you do enquire what it is to leave any thing for Chriſt, forſake any worldly intereſt for Chriſt:
I anſwer, that a man may leave and forſake a worldly intereſt for Chriſt two ways:
Either by his own will, or the wills of others.
We do leave and forſake a worldly intereſt by our own wills, when we do voluntarily and freely deprive our ſelves of our commodity or ſatisfaction for Chriſt; as the Apoſtles left their ſhips and nets to follow Chriſt.
We (ſecondly) do leave or forſake a worldly intereſt by the wills of others, when through their oppreſſion or perſecution, we are deprived of our own commodity and ſatisfaction for Chriſt; and that is called ſuffering.
Our Saviour Chriſt here, hath reſpect to both: and in both theſe reſpects it's true, That whoſoever doth leave any worldly interest for Christ, and his Name-ſake, ſhall be ſure to be well rewarded.
But then ſtill to clear it:
Queſt. What is it to leave any worldly intereſt for the Name of Chriſt?
Anſw. The Name of Chriſt is that whereby Chriſt is made known unto us; as the name of a man, is that whereby a man is made known unto us. A man is made known unto us by his name; ſo Chriſt is made known unto us by his Name. That whereby Chriſt is made known unto us, that's his Name.
Now Chriſt is made known unto us by his Spirit, and by the Goſpel.
By his Spirit he is made known unto us: for as God the Father is made known unto us by Chriſt his Son: ſo Chriſt is made known unto us by the Spirit: He ſhall take of mine, and ſhew it unto you, ſuch Chriſt. And upon this account therefore, when a man doth ſuffer any thing for the Spirit, or for any working of the Holy-ghoſt upon his heart or ſoul, then he is ſaid to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt. And upon this ſcore it was that John the Baptiſt was accounted a Martyr of Chriſt, and enroll'd among the Martyrs of Chriſt: John the Baptiſt, if you look into the ſtory, did not ſuffer for any Goſpel-truth: John the Baptiſt ſuffered for this, that he reprehended Herods adulterous courſes: true; but the Spirit of Chriſt put him upon it; and therefore being ſtirred up thereunto by the Spirit of Chriſt, he is ſaid to ſuffer upon the account of Chriſt. So that, I ſay, the Spirit of Chriſt is that whereby Chriſt is made known unto us; and when a man doth therefore ſuffer for any work of the Spirit of Chriſt, then he is ſaid to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt.
But ſecondly, Chriſt alſo is made known unto us by the Goſpel, as by an outward means. The Goſpel is the Name of Chriſt, whereby Chriſt is made known unto us. Every truth, is not a Goſpel-truth: 'tis poſſible that a man may ſuffer for a truth, and yet not ſuffer for a Goſpel-truth. But look when a man doth ſuffer for a truth, which is properly the truth of the Goſpel, then he is ſaid indeed to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt, whereby Chriſt is made known. Would you therefore know when a man may be ſaid to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt? Take all together, thus: When a man doth ſuffer for that whereby Chriſt is made known unto us, then he ſuffers for the Name of Chriſt. Chriſt is made known unto us by the Spirit; he is made known unto us by the Goſpel. Look therefore when a man doth ſuffer for the work of the Spirit, which is properly the work of the Spirit; or ſuffer for the Truth, which is properly the Truth of the Goſpel: then plainly he is ſaid to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt: and whoſoever doth ſo, ſhall be well rewarded. And that's the firſt thing.
Quest. 2. And then ſecondly, What is this reward that thoſe ſhall have, that do leave any worldly intereſt for Chriſt, or for the Name of Chriſt; and wherein doth that conſiſt?
Anſw. The reward is great; and it will appear to be very great, if you look into and conſider this text and Scripture well. For this reward, it doth relate unto the Apostles, or it relates unto us; to all others that …o leave any wordly intereſt upon the account of Chriſt.
Now as for the Apoſtles, their reward is here ſet down, That they ſhall ſit with Christ on his throne. When Chriſt ſits on his throne, the Apostles ſhall ſit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Iſrael. For the clearing of this, onelyonly theſe two things.
1. What it is for the Apoſtles to ſit on twelve thrones with Chriſt, judging the twelve tribes.
And 2. Whether are there any degrees of glory, ſeeing that the Apoſtles here ſeem to have a degree of glory given them above other men.
And as for the firſt, briefly thus.
When Chriſt ſhall ſit upon the throne, they are ſaid to ſit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes; to note their communion and fellowſhip with Chriſt in his Judicial kingdom.
But whereas the Saints ſhall judge the world; 'tis true, the Saints ſhall judge the world, and ſhall have communion and fellowſhip with Chriſt in that great work of judging the world. The Apoſtles they ſhall ſit as aſſeſſors on that day: at the great Aſſizes, the Apoſtles ſhall ſit on the bench as aſſeſſors, or as Juſtices of the Peace, by the Judge; and ſo ſhall have communion with him. 'Tis true, that all the Saints ſhall judge the world by their lives, and by their converſations: but the twelve Apoſtles ſhall judge the world by their Doctrine: not onelyonly by conſenting to the judgment of Chriſt, as all the Saints ſhall do; but in Rom. 2. 16. 'tis ſaid, In the day when God ſhall judge the ſecrets of men by Jeſus Chriſt, according to my Goſpel. So that this is all that is here meant, That in the grand and great Aſſize, that kingdom and glory of Chriſt, the twelve Apoſtles they ſhall have a ſpecial fellowſhip and communion with him above others.
Quest. But then, are there any degrees of glory? for it would ſeem here, that the Apoſtles have ſome degree of glory above other men. Are there any degrees of glory?
Anſw. Yes ſurely, there are degrees of glory. For as one ſtar differeth from another ſtar in glory, ſo ſhall the reſurrection be, ſaith the Apoſtle.
But though there be degrees of glory, all that glory that the Saints ſhall have in heaven, ſhall be of one piece; for there's no envie there. Envie! there is none in heaven. And whence comes Envie? We may ſee that among our children, or among men. If you have four or five cchildren, and make them cloaths, if they be cloaths made all of a piece, they do not envie though ones cloaths be bigger then anothers. But if they be not made all of a piece, or my Brothers cloaths are better then mine, or my Siſters cloaths are better then mine; but when they are all of a piece, they do not envie. So if you invite twenty men to dinner, and they all eat of the ſame diſh, there's no envie: but if you have a meaner diſh for thoſe that ſit at the lower end of the Table, ſay they, Indeed we ſat at ſuch a Table but we had a meaner diſh: and ſo they envie. But if one man eat more then another, yet if they eat of the ſame diſh, there is no envie. Now in heaven there is no Envie: for though there be degrees of glory, yet it ſhall be all of a piece, and all of a diſh. But now though this glory in heaven ſhall be all of a piece, and though there be degrees of glory in heaven, yet I don't think this Scripture to be underſtood of the degrees of glory in heaven; for there's no judging of the twelve tribes in heaven: Christ ſhall then at laſt give up his kingdom unto the Father. This is ſpoken therefore of a glorious Judgement on this ſide heaven; and it is here promiſed unto the Apoſtles above all others, as a reward ſutable to them: for they were twelve, preached to the twelve tribes; ſome received the Goſpel, ſome did not: and therefore here is a reward propounded ſutable unto them. But thus much for the reward that concerns the Apoſtles, (by the way).
But then it will be ſaid, What is the reward that doth concern all thoſe that leave any worldly intereſt for Chriſt, or ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt?
Why that doth either relate unto this life, or unto the life that is to come.
It relates unto this life; and then ſaith our Saviour, There is an hundred-fold. Look whatſoever that is that you do lay out for Chriſt here in this life, you ſhall receive an hundred-fold for it, even in this life. Here's a great matter, and it is well worth our conſidering. Look whatſoever you do lay out for Chriſt, wha…ſo…ver worldly in…eſt you do part withal for Chriſt, or lay out fo… Chriſt, that you ſhall receive in an hundred-fold, even in this life.
And to make this out unto you: I confeſs it is a great matter.
But firſt of all, (to clear it) is it not a great matter for us to be enriched with divine promiſe…? one promiſe is worth a world: he is rich indeed, that is rich in promiſes. We ſay a man may be a rich man, though he have never a peny of money in his purſe: he may have a great many Bonds, and we ſay he is a rich man. I am ſure that Chriſtian is rich indeed, that's rich in promiſes. Well, when comes the promiſe? Look when a man doth forſake any worldly intereſt for the Lord, then comes the promiſe. For that, look into Gen. 12 and you ſhall ſ…e what a great promiſe God makes to Abra…am, verſ. 2. I will m…ke of thee a great nation, and I will bleſs thee, and make thy name great, and thou ſhalt be bleſſed. Well, but when comes this promiſe? The firſt verſe tells you: Now the Lord ſaid unto Abraham, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy fathers houſe, unto the land that I will ſhew thee.
Quest. I but ſuppoſe that Abraham do ſo, what will …he Lord then beſtow upon Abraham?
Anſw. Why I will make of thee a great nation.
Object. But if I go out of my country, (Abraham might ſay) I ſhall be ſcattered, and come to no…hing, I and my poſterity.
Anſw. Nay, but I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bleſs thee.
Object. I, but every body will ſay, I am a fool to leave my country, and go I know not whither.
Anſw. Nay, but I will make thy name great, and thou ſhalt be a bleſſing.
Object. I but I ſhall meet with divers enemies abroad, and they will fall upon me, and ruine me.
Anſw. Nay, (ſaith the Lord) And I will bleſs them that bleſs thee, and I will curſe him that curſeth thee. See what a great promiſe here is made: When did this promiſe come? So Abraham departed, as the L…rd had ſpoken to him. Look when we do forſake any worldly intereſt for the Lord, then comes the promiſe. Now is not one promiſe better then any worldly intereſt, an hundred times better?
But ſecondly, is it not a gre… matter to have the favour of God the Father, the heart of God drawn out unto us, to be amiable and beautiful in the eyes of God the Father? Now look when a man doth forſake any worldly intereſt for God, then he is beautiful in the eyes of God; never ſo amiable or beautiful in the eyes of God, as then. Take it thus:
Beauty raiſes Perſecution, and Perſecution raiſes Beauty: they are matual cauſes.
Firſt, I ſay, Beauty raiſes Perſecution. Perſecution you ſhall find doth always fall upon the beautiful piece of Religion, upon thoſe that are the moſt beautiful pieces of Religion. So long as Chriſt our Saviour liv'd, perſecution lay upon him, and not upon the Apoſtles: when Chriſt was dead, then the Apoſtles were the moſt beautiful piece, and then the perſecution lay upon them eſpecially. When the Apoſtles were gone off the ſtage, in the Primitive times, the Perſecution always fell upon the moſt eminent Saints. Perſecution always falls upon the beauty of Religion. In Matth. 13 we finde that perſecution is compared to the ſcorching of the Sun: And when the ſun was up, they were ſcorched; ſpeaking of the ſtony ground: which is expounded in verſ. 21. by perſecution: For when tribulation or perſecution ariſes becauſe of the word. The ſcorching ſun here, is interpreted to be perſecution. And you ſhall finde that the ſcorching Sun falls with moſt prejudice upon the greateſt beauty: the greateſt beauty ſuffers moſt by the ſcorching ſun. Truly ſo perſecution falls upon the beauty of Religion: you may ſee it in Cant. 1. there the Spouſe is deſcribed in her beauty: If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, &c. I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horſes in Pharaohs chariots. Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. But ſaith ſhe, at verſ. 5. I am black but comely, O ye daughters of Jeruſalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. Here's her beauty: what then? Look not upon me becauſe I am black, becauſe the ſun hath look'd upon me. The ſun hath look'd upon me: what's that? Perſecution: My mothers children were angry with me. The ſcorching ſun of Perſecution hath fallen upon my beauty. That's the thing I ſpeak of, namely, that Perſecution always falls upon the beautiful piece of Religion.
And ſo on the other ſide, as Beauty raiſes Perſecution, ſo Perſecution raiſes Beauty. A man's never more beautiful in the eyes of God, then when he is perſecuted for the Name of Chriſt, and when he doth leave and forſake a worldly intereſt upon the account of Chriſt. You may ſee it in Pſal. 45. verſ. 10. Hearken O daughter, conſider, and incline thine ear; forget alſo thine own people, and thy fathers houſe: ſo ſhall the King greatly deſire thy beauty. See where the beauty lies, in forgetting of the fathers houſe: in leaving and forſaking a worldly intereſt upon the account of Chriſt, here's beauty. Now is it not an hundred times better to be beautiful in the eyes of God the Father, and of Chriſt, then to have a worldly intereſt? Certainly it is.
But then thirdly, Is it not a great matter for a man to have communion and fellowſhip with Jeſus Chriſt in his ſufferings? If ye ſuffer with him, ye ſhall reign with him, ſaith the Apoſtle. Now we have communion and fellowſhip with Chriſt in his ſufferings, either at the Lords Supper, or in our ſuff…rings for Chriſt: but with this diff…rence: we have communion and fellowſhip with Chriſt in our ſufferings for Chriſt, by fi…ing up the ſuff…r…ngs of Christ: we have communion and fellowſhip with Chriſt in the Lords Supper; but then we don't fill up the ſufferings of Chriſt: but in our ſufferings for Chriſt we have communion and fellowſhip with Chriſt, by filling up the ſufferings of Chriſt. So that here's a ſpecialty of communion with Chriſt, by ſuffering for the Lord Jeſus. Now is it not an hundred times better to have communion and fellowſhip with Chriſt in his ſufferings, then to have a worldly intereſt?
Fourthly, is it not a great mat…er to have the Spirit of God and of glory reſt upon us? You know what the Apoſtle Peter ſaith concerning thoſe that ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt, Th… Spirit of God and of glory ſhall rest up…n you, as the dove reſted upon the Ark; it h…vered upon the waters, but at laſt ſhe reſted upon the A…k; ſo the Spirit of the Lord hov…rs over men, but it rests upon the ſuff…ring Saints. Now is it not an hundred times better to have the Spirit of God and of glory reſting upon us, then to have any worldly i…tereſt? Certainly it is.
Fifthly, is it not a great deal better to be filled and abound with divine and ſpiritual conſolations? Look when a man doth leave any worldly intereſt for Chriſt, or doth ſuffer for the Name of Jeſus Chriſt, then ſhall his heart be filled with conſolations. You ſee what is ſaid for that, in 2 Cor. 1. ſaith the Apoſtle, verſ. 5. For as the ſufferings of Chriſt abound in us, ſo our conſolation alſo aboundeth by Chriſt. Why now is it not an hundred times better to be filled with inward conſolations, then to have a worldly intereſt by one? certain…y it is.
Six…hly, is it no… a great matter for us to have an aſſu…ance of our ſalvation, and of our election, to be ſealed to us? Surely 'tis a great matter. Now look when a man doth ſuffer for the Name of Jeſus Chriſt, then comes the aſſurance, th…n is the ſealing time. When we do bear our teſtimony unto Chriſt, then Chriſt bears his teſtimony un…o u…, that we are his children: when we bear teſt…mony to the truth of Chriſt, Chriſt bears teſtimony to the truth of grace in us. See what is ſaid Phil. 1 28 And in nothing terrified by your adverſaries, which is to them an …vid…nt token of perdition, but to you of ſalvation, and that of God. A token, and of God; it is Gods token. But look into Acts 9. and you ſhall ſee what the Lord ſaith unto Anan…as concerning Paul. The Lord ſaid unto him, Go thy way Ananias; for he is a choſen v…ſſel unto me, to carry my Name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the Children of Iſrael. Why? For I will ſhew him how great things he must ſuffer for my Name ſake. So that ſuffering for the Name of Chriſt, ſeals up our aſſurance, the aſſurance of our ſalvation, the aſſurance of our election. Now is it not an hundred times better to have the aſſurance of our election, and of our ſalvation ſeale…, then to have ſome particular worldly intereſt lying by us? certainly it is.
But ſeventhly, is it not a great matter for us to reign with Chriſt a thouſand years? Such a thing there is promiſed in Revel. 20. I will not now debate how and in what manner it ſhall be made good: but this is certain, there is ſuch a thing promiſed, as reigning with Chriſt a thouſand years. Who is that promiſed to? verſ. 4. ſuch as thoſe that ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt: And I ſaw thrones, and they ſat upon them, and judgment was given unto them. And I ſaw the ſouls of them that were beheaded for the witneſs of Jeſus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worſhipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands▪ and they lived and reigned with Christ a thouſand years. Now is it not an hundred times better to live and reign with Chriſt a thouſand years in the day of glory, then to have ſome particular worldly intereſt together for the preſent? Sure it is.
Now put all theſe ſeven things together: why every …ne of them is a great matter, but put them all together, and you cannot but ſay we ſhall have a thouſand-fold in this life.
I but mark, the Apoſtle tells us we ſhall have an hundred-fold in the fame kinde, in this life: how can that be?
Why if you look into Mark 10. you ſhall finde that Mark doth not ſay in ſo many words, that we ſhall have an hundred-fold in this life, in the ſame kinde; but ſaith thus: Jeſus anſwered and ſaid, Verily I ſay unto you, that there is no man that hath left houſe, or brethren, or ſiſter, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my ſake and the Goſpels, but he ſhall receive an hundred-fold now in this time, houſes, and brethren, and ſiſters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with PERSECƲTIONS. But he do'nt ſay he ſhall have it in …e ſame kinde, An hundred-fold in this life, and an hundred-fold in the ſame kinde. When Peter left his nets and his fiſhing for Chriſt, Chriſt made him a fiſher of men: now that was an …ndred-fold in this life, but not in the ſame kinde. But to clear up this, take theſe four or five conſiderations.
Firſt, conſider this: whatſoever God doth for us immediately, that is an hundred times better, then what he doth for us by means. Now look when a man doth forſake a worldly intereſt for Chriſt, and puts himſelf upon Chriſt, Chriſt will provide immediately for him. You may ſee it in Matth. 15. there were a company that had followed Chriſt, and had followed him ſo long, that they were faint: Chriſt would not ſend them away fainting, verſ. 32. Jeſus called his diſciples unto him, and ſaid, I have compaſſion on the multitude, becauſe they have continued with me now three days, and have nothing to eat. They have nothing to eat: they had left their houſes, they had left their own victuals, and their own proviſions, and they had nothing to eat; and (ſaith he) I will not ſend them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. Well, what ſhall be done? here Chriſt works a miracle; And they took up of the broken meat that was left ſeven bask…ts full. Do you think now that ever theſe men made a better meal in all their lives? I am perſwaded it was an hundred-fold better to them, then the beſt meal they had in all their lives. And to ſhew that Chriſt will rather work a miracle, then that thoſe ſhall want which leave ought for him. What Chriſt doth for us imme…ely, that he doth fully, and ſweetly, and is … hundred times better then that he doth by …eans.
Secondly, look what the Lord doth for our children, and our poſterity, that the Lord doth for us, in Scripture-language. In experience, what God doth do for our children, and for our poſterity, that God doth for us Now look whatſoever that is that you tha… a…e Pare…ts ſhall leave for the Name of J…ſus Chriſt, Chriſt will give it in an hundred-…o…d; it may be to your poſterity. What ſhall we ſay to the ſecond Commandment? The ſecond Commandment you know is this: Thou ſhalt not make to thy ſ…lf any graven image: …ha… i…, …hou ſhalt not worſhip God by any means but that which God himſelf hath appointed. Here all the inventions of men are forbidden; here all the inſtitutions of God are commanded Well, what doth G…d promiſe upon the keeping of this? I will ſh…w m…rcy to a thouſand generations. Stay a little: before, he ſai…h he will puniſh them that break this Commandment, to the third and fou…th generation: I will puniſh them that hate me, to the third and fourth generation. Them that hate me: pray why, why are thoſe that break the ſecond Commandment ſaid to hate God? it is not ſaid upon the breaking of any other Commandment, that it is a h…ting of God, but upon the breach of the ſecond Commandment.
I conceive the reaſon eſſentially is this, becauſe Perſecution grows upon the ſecond Commandment. Thoſe that hate the people of God, hat… God. N…w where doth the hatred and perſecution grow? Upon the keeping the ſecond Commandment; not conforming to mens inventions, keeping cloſe to the inſtitutions of God; here's Perſecution grows upon this Commandment: well, ſaith God, I will viſit th… iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. But as for thoſe that keep this Commandment: And ſh…wing mercy unto thouſands of them that love me, and keep my Commandments. Why doth he ſay Commandments, and not, this Commandment?
The reaſon is this, becauſe in the ſecond Commandment all inſtitutions are commanded; all the inventions of men are forbidden. All the inſtitutions of Chriſt come within the ſecond Commandment; and therefore, ſaith he, I will ſhew mercy to a thouſand generations of thoſe that l…ve me, and ke…p my commandments. Now here's an hundred-fold, in that mercy is ſh…wn to a thouſand generations. Well, what God gives to our children, and to our poſterity, that he gives unto us.
A third conſideration is this. Look what that is which we have in eff…ct, that we have in truth, though we have it not in the formality. Now look whatſoever you do lay out for Chriſt, whatſoever worldly intereſt you do part withal, and forſake for Chriſt, that you ſhall have in effect. Why? becauſe the ſame affection doth ſtill remain. I will expreſs it thus: Suppoſe you have a Crab-ſtock, and there you plant a Harvie, or a Pearmain, or a Pippin; why the Pippin is an hundred times better then the Crab would have been. Why 'tis the ſame ſtock ſtill, under the Harvie, or Pippin, or Pearmain; onelyonly there's an Apple planted that's an hundred times better then the Crab was. So now, you have a delight in the things of the world: well, you leave this delight for Chriſt; you leave not the affection, but there's a better object planted upon the affection; and there being a better object planted upon the ſame delight, thus you have the ſame thing you part withal for the Name of Chriſt in an hundred-fold.
Fourthly, look what that is that we have in a way of ſubſtitution, that we have in truth, and in effect, though we have it not in formality. Now look what that is that you do leave for the Name of Chriſt, that you ſhall have an hundred-fold in a way of ſubſtitution. The Apoſtles they left their houſes; Peter left a houſe, it may be, or a fiſher-boat, for Chriſt: why he had an hundred houſes in a way of ſubſtitution, he had an hundred mens houſes open to receive him; and happie was that Lydia that could receive the Apoſtle. And this is that which you have Pſal. 45. verſ. 10. Hearken, O daughter, and conſider; incline thine ear: forget alſo thine own people, and thy fathers houſe. What then? Why then at verſ. 16. In ſtead of thy fathers ſhall be thy children, whom thou mayſt make Princes in all the earth. Here now is the ſame, in a way of ſubſtitution. 'Tis true, 'tis not the ſame in formality, but in a way of ſubſtitution; here's that which is an hundred-fold.
Fifthly, look what that is which we have in a way of ſatisfaction, that we have in truth and in effect, though not in formality. Look what that is that you do leave or forſake for Chriſt, that you ſhall have in ſatisfaction an hundred-fold more then you had before. If you leave any thing for Chriſt, you ſhall have an hundred-fold more ſatisfaction in what you have given for Chriſt, then what you keep for your ſelves. So that an hundred-fold in a way of ſubſtitution, and an hundred-fold in a way of ſatisfaction. And thus you ſee how we receive an hundred-fold in this life: That whatſoever you do lay out for Chriſt here, you ſhall be paid an hundred-fold; and how, and in what manner.
But then ſecondly, what is that reward that we ſhall have in …he life to come? Suppoſe a man do leave a worldly intereſt for the Name of Chriſt, or that he do ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt; what is that reward that he ſhall have in the world to come?
Truly that reward is great, and I am not able to ſpeak it; it requires the unwearied hand and arm of Eternity, to tell over all the wealth of glory that the ſuffering people of God ſhall have in the world to come. OnelyOnly thus much I'll ſay, and briefly.
Firſt of all, That reward that you that are ſuffering Saints ſhall have in the world to come, it ſhall be an open reward: for, ſaith Chriſt, he that confeſſeth me before men, him will I confeſs alſo before my Father, &c.
Secondly, it ſhall be a comfortable reward: for, ſaith the book of the Revelations, Then all tears ſhall be wiped out of your eyes. He doth not ſay, From your eyes, or from your cheeks; no, but they ſhall be wiped out of your eyes. So that the eyes ſhall be then ſuch a womb as ſhall never breed a tear again. All tears ſhall be wiped not from your eyes, but out of your eyes. So in Rev. 7.
Thirdly, as it ſhall be a comfortable reward, ſo an honourable reward: for, ſaith our Saviour Chriſt, Be faithful unto the death, and I will give thee the crown of life. And
Fourthly, as it ſhall be an honourable reward, ſo a proportionable reward, a reward proportionable to all your ſufferings. You know what the Apoſtle ſaith, Theſe light affl…ctions which are but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
Will you ſay, I but our afflictions are exceeding heavie. Nay, ſaith the Apoſtle, they are light.
But grant they be; to balance the account, you ſhall have a weight of glory.
Will you ſay, They are long and tedious.
Nay, ſaith the Apoſtle, they are but light.
But grant they be long and tedious.
To balance the account, you ſhall have an exceeding and an eternal weight of glory.
And then fifthly, as it ſhall be a reward proportionable, ſo it ſhall be a reward tranſcending; over and beyond proportion, over and beyond all expreſſion, beyond all our apprehenſions or thoughts. Who is able to think or apprehend what the inheritance of the Saints in light is; that inheritance that is incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away? Look into Rom. 8. If ye be children, then are ye heirs, heirs of God, and joynt-heirs with Christ; if ſo be that we ſuffer with him. See, it hangs upon ſuffering; If ſo be that we ſuffer with him, that we may be alſo glorified together. Now, if children, then heirs. All our children are not heirs: well, but all the children of God ſhall be heirs, heirs of God. What's that? Some think that's to be underſtood objectively, that they ſhall inherit God: and indeed, they have all things, that have him that hath all things. Heirs of God. But take it efficiently, ſhall be Gods heirs, and joynt-heirs with Chriſt. He doth not ſay, Joyntpurchaſers with Chriſt, but joynt-heirs, joynt-heirs with Chriſt. What ſhall Chriſt inherit? Why Ch…iſt is God the Fathers heir; and he never d…ſpleaſed his Fath…r; he will not diſinherit him therefore. Look what God the Father is worth, that Chriſt ſhall be worth: and look what Chriſt is worth, that the ſuffering Saints ſhall be worth: for they be joynt-heirs with Chriſt.
Lo here, here's an inheritance now, and here's the reward that the ſuffering Saints ſhall have. What a large inheritance is here! This is that they ſhall have in the life to come. And ſo you ſee what their reward is that loſe or forſake any thing upon the account of Chriſt, or ſuff…r for the Name of Chriſt.
But then thirdly, what aſſurance is there of this reward?
I'll go no further then the text: our Saviour Chriſt here puts a Verily upon it: Verily: you have the word of Chriſt for this reward. If an honeſt man make you a promiſe, you will believe him, eſpecially if he ſaith, I proteſt unto you. Why Jeſus Chriſt hath proteſted this promiſe: Verily, ſaith he, you ſhall have an hundred-fold in this life, and in the world to come, life everlasting.
Well then, the queſtion is, Why ſhould thoſe that ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt have ſuch a great reward as this? Why ſhould thoſe that leave or forſake any worldly intereſt upon the account of Chriſt, why ſhould thoſe above all other people be ſo well rewarded?
I anſwer: Theſe above all other people, that ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt, theſe are thoſe that do honour Jeſus Chriſt. What is honour? Honour, it is the teſtimony of anothers excellencie. When I teſtifie of another mans excellencie, then I honour him. Now look when a man doth forſake a worldly intereſt for the truth of Chriſt, then he teſtifie there's an excellencie in Chriſt: and the greater the worldly intereſt is I do forſake, and the leſs the truth is I forſake it for; the more do I teſtifie an excellencie in Chriſt: Chriſt therefore will be ſure to honour them, they ſhall be well rewarded.
Secondly, theſe people of all other people, are the people that do truſt in the Lord before the ſons of men: O how great is thy loving kindneſs, which thou haſt laid up for them that fear thee; which thou haſt wrought for them that truſt in thee, before the ſons of men! Some truſt in God, and believe in the heart (as they ſay): But they do not truſt in God before the Sons of men. But now, when a man forſakes a worldly intereſt, and doth ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt, then he truſts in the Lord before the ſons of men: And therefore, O how great is the loving kindneſs of God that is laid up for them!
But then thirdly, theſe above all other people that ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt: theſe are thoſe people that are firm and faſt unto God. God loves a fixed Spirit. God doth not love to ſee a man unſetled in points of Religion. Now when a man will leave a worldly intereſt for the Cauſe of Chriſt, and the Name of Chriſt, there's a fixation in ſuch a man. And therefore he of all other people ſhall be well rewarded.
Fourthly, theſe people of all other people, are the moſt oppoſed by the Grand Enemy of Chriſt: Well, who is the Grand Enemy of Chriſt in theſe days? Antichriſt: Antichriſt is the Grand Enemy of Jeſus Chriſt. Now theſe that ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt, are moſt oppoſed by the Grand Enemy of Chriſt: And Chriſt will be ſure to love them that are moſt oppoſed by his Grand Enemy.
Fifthly and laſtly, theſe of all other people, they are the people that are overcomers: How many promiſes are made to thoſe that overcome, in the ſecond and third of the Revelations? To him that overcometh, to him that overcometh, a promiſe ſtill is made to him that overccometh.
But how do we overcome?
In the 12 of the Revelat. v. 11. And they overcame him, that is, the Devil, By the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their teſtimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death. Theſe of all other people, are the overcoming people. As Chriſt overcame the Devil, by being overcome; ſo men overcome, by being overcome. Thoſe that ſuffer upon the account of Jeſus Chriſt, when they are overcome by the world in the view of the world, then they overcome. Now Chriſt will be ſure to reward them well that overcome. And thus you ſee why theſe of all other people ſhall be ſo well rewarded. And thus you have the Doctrine cleered.
Applicat. Now then by way of Application.
If this be true, that whoſoever doth leave or forſake any worldly intereſt for Chriſt, and the Name of Chriſt, ſhall be ſure to be well rewarded: why ſhould not we be willing to looſe and to be loſt for Chriſt?
Good Friends, the time's a coming when you may be called to leave your Trades, to leave your Shops, to leave any worldly intereſt you have for the Name of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. But is this true, that ſuch ſhall be well rewarded? Why ſhould we not be willing then to looſe and be loſt, to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt? Can you have a greater improvement of your Money? A man would think he improves his Money well that hath ten in the hundred, ſix in the hundred now: But here's an hundred for one; not ten in the hundred, but an hundred for one. If a Merchant ventures to Sea, if he could be ſure to gain twelve in the hundred, he would think he came to a good Market. Why behold here, here's an hundred fold in this life, and all this inſured by Christ; Verily, verily I ſay unto you. 'Tis inſured by the word of Jeſus Chriſt; not ten, but an hundred; not twelve in the hundred, but an hundred for one, even in this life. Who would not be willing to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt? 'Tis recorded of Queen Elizabeth, That when ſhe was in the Tower, ſhe lookt out of a Window, and ſaw a milk-maid go by ſinging; and ſeeing her, O, ſaid ſhe, that I were a Milk-maid, then I ſhould go ſinging! But when ſhe came to the Throne, ſhe reigned forty four years. Now had ſhe known that ſhe ſhould have been delivered from her impriſonment, and brought to the Throne, and there have reigned forty four years; would ſhe have wiſht her ſelf a Milk-maid? Beloved, we are aſſured of a great reward in Heaven, an hundred fold in this life, and a great and glorious reward in the life to come; and therefore when we come to ſuffer, ſhall I peeviſhly ſay, Would I had been a Milk-maid? would I had been born in a mean condition? O no! how willing ſhould we be to ſuffer for the Name of Jeſus Chriſt?
But ſome will ſay, I am not unwilling to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt, ſo it be for the Name of Chriſt, but there are many falſe gloſſes put upon our ſufferings.
Saith the Adverſary, Man, friend, you don't ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt, and the truth of Chriſt; but for Sedition and Rebellion, and becauſe you will not be obedient to Authority; and theſe and the like gloſſes are put upon the people of God. And how can I be willing to ſuffer now?
No Indeed, if theſe things be true: for the Apoſtle ſaith, That we are not to ſuffer as evil doers.
But I pray tell me, When did any of the people of God ſuffer for the Cauſe of God; but there were ſuch gloſſes as theſe? ſaith Haman, Theſe are a rebellious people, and it is not for the Kings profit to ſuffer them. And ſo when Chriſt himſelf ſuffered, He is not a friend to Caeſar, but an enemy. Well, then came the Apoſtles, and when the Apoſtles came, what a guiſe was put upon their ſufferings? Theſe are ſeditious, and th…ſe that turn the world upſide-down are come hither. And do not you finde in Scripture and experience, that it is no new thing for men to perſecute Religion upon the account of Religion? Saith Chriſt, For which of my good works go ye about to kill me? No, no, thou art miſtaken, we go not about to kill thee for thy good works, but becauſe thou breakest the Sabbath, &c. So that 'tis no new thing to perſecute Religion, even upon the account of Religion.
But then you will ſay, If it be ſo, how ſhall I be able to know that I do truely ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt? How ſhall I be able in the midſt of all theſe blinds and diſguiſes? How ſhall I ſee through them all, that I may be able to ſay, Nay, but in truth, I do ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt.
Why, you have heard it in the general already; onelyonly a little more particularly to open it.
If you do ſuffer for the Work of the Spirit of God upon your heart, the Work that the Holy Ghoſt hath wrought upon your heart: If you do ſuffer for the Truth, which is properly the Truth of the Goſpel; whatſoever diſguiſes men put upon your ſufferings, plainly you ſuffer for Name of Jeſus Chriſt.
Again, if you ſuffer for the Cauſe of Chriſt, for the Ways of Chriſt, for the Ordinances of Chriſt, for the Children of Chriſt, for the Liberty which Chriſt hath purchaſed for you; then you do ſuffer for the Name of Jeſus Chriſt.
But thirdly, if you do ſuffer for the worſhip of Chriſt, as it is diſtinguiſht from Jewiſh worſhip, from Antichriſtian worſhip, from Worldly worſhip; then you ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt. for the Worſhip of Chriſt, is the Name of Chriſt: And all Nations go forth in the Name of their God. Now if you do ſuffer for the worſhip of Chriſt, as it is diſtinguiſhed from the Jewiſh worſhip, from Antichriſtian worſhip, from Worldly worſhip; then you do plainly ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt.
The worſhip of the Jews, and the way of the Jews was National; but the worſhip of Chriſt and the Goſpel is Congregational.
The worſhip of Chriſt is diſtinguiſht from Antichriſtian worſhip: For that's humane, and by humane inventions; but the worſhip of Jeſus Chriſt is Divine, and from Heaven.
The worſhip of Chriſt is diſtinguiſht from the worſhip of the world, for that's Pompous, that's Ceremonious; a carnal worſhip like unto the world it ſelf; but the worſhip Jeſus Chriſt is plain and ſimple. Such worſhippers doth the Father ſeek, as worſhip him in ſpirit and in truth. Now if you do ſuffer for the worſhip of Chriſt, as it is diſtinguiſht from the worſhip of the Jews; Antichriſt, and of the World; then you do certainly ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt.
Fourthly, if you do ſuffer for the not-doing of that, which Jeſus Chriſt hath juſtified his own Diſciples for the not doing of, then do you ſuffer for the Goſpel, and ſo for the Name of Jeſus Chriſt. Now look into the 15 of Matth. and you ſhall ſee what Chriſt did juſtifie his Diſciples in. And the Scribes and the Phariſees came to Chriſt, and they ſay unto him, Why do thy Diſciples tranſgreſs the tradition of the Elders? What's that? for they waſh not their hands when they eat bread. VVhy that's an indifferent thing; ſurely the Diſciples would not ſtand off for an indifferent thing. Yes that they did, I and Chriſt juſtified them in it.
But this was hatcht with the tradition of the Elders of the Church, and ſurely they would not ſtand off now. Yes, that they did, and Chriſt juſtifies them in it, for Chriſt ſaid, Why do you alſo tranſgreſs the commandments of God by your traditions? So that if you do ſuffer for not doing that, which Jeſus Chriſt hath juſtified his Diſciples for the not doing of; then you ſuffer for the Goſpel, and for the Name of Chriſt.
Fifthly, If two things be laid before you, and there is ſin on the one hand, and on the other hand there is ſuffering for Chriſt: Sin on the one hand, and ſuffering on the other: If now you chuſe rather to take up the ſuffering, the… to commit the ſin; you do plainly ſuffer for the Name of Jeſus Chriſt. And therefore look whatſoever the reward is, that great reward is which they ſhall have that ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt; all that reward is yours. Be of good comfort, all that reward is yours: O, and if ever you be call'd to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt, go away rejoycing that you are accounted worthy to ſuffer ſhame, or any thing for the Name of Jeſus Chriſt. O what great encouragement is here from this great Rewarder! Who would not be willing now to ſuffer for the Name of Jeſus Chriſt?
But you will ſay to me, What ſhall we do that we may be willing to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt? for I confeſs I am very backward and unwilling to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt.
Do you ſay ſo?
But it may be you are not convinced that it is for the Name of Chriſt.
But are you ſenſible of your unwillingneſs? Why, I uſe to ſay this, He is not far from a grace that is ſenſible of a contrary evil: And 'tis a true ſpeech, He is not far from humility that is ſenſible of pride; he is not far from faith, that is ſenſible of unbelief. So he is not far from being willing to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt that is ſenſible of his own unwillingneſs.
But now ſuppoſe that for the preſent you be very unwilling to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt.
You may know this, That willingneſs to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt, is part of our ſuffering Grace; and ſuffering Grace is given upon ſuffering ground: Ʋnto you it is given not only to believe, but to ſuffer. The opportunity to ſuffer is the gift of God. The will and heart to ſuffer is the gift of God. And the ſtrength to ſuffer is the gift of God. Theſe are three gifts in one gift.
But when is this ſuffering grace given?
It's given upon ſuffering ground: In that hour there ſhall be wiſdom given you: well, to be willing to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt, is part of our ſuffering grace; and therefore when you come upon the ſuffering ground, then you ſhall have the ſuffering grace.
I but you will ſay, Indeed I find my heart extreamly backward to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt. What ſhall I do, that I may be willing now for the preſent to ſuffer for the Cauſe or the Name of Chriſt? Here are divers Directions.
Directions to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt.
Firſt, Whenſoever you do receive any thing from God, when you do receive it, then ingage your hearts to offer it up unto God, when God calls for it again, to lay it out for God. And if at any time you find your hearts willing, then pray to God, and ſay, The Lord continue this in the thoughts of my poor heart for ever: whenſoever you receive, then ingage, and keep this ingagement freſh upon your hearts.
Secondly, Train up your ſelves in leaving and forſaking a worldly intereſt for the Name of Chriſt; the Goſpel calls for this work daily: for you know the Parable: A certain man made a great feast, and invited many; and ſent his ſervant at Supper-time to ſay to them that were bidden, Come, for all things are now ready. And they all with one conſent began to make excuſe. One ſaid, I have bought a piece of ground, and I muſt go ſee it: Another ſaid, I have bought five yoke of Oxen, and I muſt go prove them: Another ſaid, I have married a wife, and therefore cannot come. All theſe were excuſes. But we ſhould daily be parting with a worldly intereſt for the Goſpel and Name of God. It was a true ſpeech of Mr. Greenham, He will never be able to ſuffer by a Papiſt, that cannot ſuffer from a Proteſtant. Train up your ſelves every day; daily you muſt meet with one Temptation or another, therefore be daily training your ſelves up in this work of leaving and forſaking your worldly intereſt for the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.
Thirdly, Uſe the World as if you us'd it not, for the faſhion of this world paſſeth away. He that is glewed to the world, will never leave and forſake much of the worldly intereſt for the name of Jeſus Chriſt: the more a mans heart is glewed to the world and the things thereof, the more unwilling he will be to part with a worldly intereſt for Jeſus Chriſt. Therefore let him that uſes the world, be as if he uſed it not; he that marries, as if he married not; and they that weep, as if they wept not; and they that rejoyce, as though they rejoyced not; and they that buy, as though they poſſeſſed not; and they that uſe this world, as not abuſing it; for the faſhion of this world paſſeth away. Witneſs the Revolutions of theſe latter times.
Fourthly, Study Chriſt crucified much: Let me ſay this to you, and to my ſelf (and I pray conſider of it) the more frequently and ſeriouſly we do think on Chriſt crucified, and what Chriſt did leave and forſake for us, the more willing ſhall we be to leave and forſake any worldly intereſt for Jeſus Chriſt. I ſhould think thus: What, ſhall Chriſt leave his Heaven for me, and ſhall not I leave my Earth for him? What, ſhall Jeſus Chriſt leave the boſome of his Father, and that ſweet Relation for me, and ſhall not I leave the boſome of my Relation for him! What, ſhall Jeſus Chriſt ſuffer for me a curſed death, and ſhall not I be willing to ſuffer a bleſſed death for him? The Death of Chriſt hath bleſſed our death: Chriſt hath ſuffered a curſed death for us, and our death is made bleſſed by the death of Chriſt. And ſhall Chriſt ſuffer a curſed death for me, and ſhall not I be willing to ſuffer a bleſſed death for him? Think much of what Chriſt left for you, and then you will be willing to forſake any worldly intereſt for him.
Fifthly, Get your hearts filled with the divine ſweetneſſes of the Ordinances. O Lord, ſaith Auſtin, when once thy ſweetneſs came into my Soul, how ſweet was it to me to want my own ſweetneſſes! Oh! when the ſweetneſſes of God ſhall come into our Souls, this begets Love; and much water cannot quench Love. Go therefore and labour to get your hearts filled with Divine ſweetneſſes.
Sixthly, Whatſoever you do now in a way of ſervice, do it becauſe your Father wills it. If you do therefore ſerve God now becauſe your Father wills it; then when you come to ſuffer, you will willingly ſuffer, becauſe your Father wills it. So that now, uſe your ſelves to this, to ſerve all your ſervice upon this ſcore, becauſe my Father wills it.
Seventhly, Take heed that you do not ſtand leſsning of a ſin, or of an error, and greatning of a ſuffering. What's the reaſon that many are ſo unwilling to ſuffer? The reaſon on't is this: they leſſen the error and the ſin in the yeilding; and they aggravate and greaten the ſuffering. O ſaith one, Is this a great matter, to yeild in ſuch a thing as this! 'tis an indifferent thing; but if I don't yeild, I am undone for ever. But take heed of this, that you do not leſſen the ſin, and aggravate your ſuffering: for you will never be willing to ſuffer for the name of Chriſt, if this be your way.
Eighthly, If you would be willing to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt, then go unto God in prayer, and pray unto God for boldneſs; and go to your friends, and beg of them to pray for you. I remember when Latimer was to ſuffer, he call'd upon his friends, Pray friends, pray for me; for ſometimes, though I am as bold as a Lyon, yet at another time I am ſo afraid, as I could run into a Mouſe-hole. Therefore ſay, Come, O my friends, I have a cowardly heart of my own, and am unwilling to ſuffer for the Name of Jeſus Chriſt: O friends, pray for me, and go to God and pray for boldneſs: for you ſee how it was in the 4th of the Acts, they told their own Company what the Prieſts ſaid to them, And now, Lord, ſay they, Behold their threatnings: and what did they pray for? Grant that with all boldneſs we may ſpeak thy word: And what was …he iſſue? in the next verſe: The room was ſhaken, and they were filled with the Holy Ghoſt, and they ſpake the word of God with boldneſs. God anſwered their prayer preſently. Therefore if the Enemies threaten, and you are afraid to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt, get together, and in the midſt of all your Petitions, put up this to the Throne of Grace, O Lord, give us boldneſs.
Ninthly, If you would be willing to ſuffer for the name of Chriſt, O then read over the ſufferings of others, and how others have offered up their worldly intereſts to the name of Chriſt; and by reading their ſufferings, you will be made willing to ſuffer as they were: Having ſuch a cloud of witneſſes, ſaith the Apoſtle; he ſpeaks of ſuffering-Saints.
Tenthly, Improve all your afflictions to the mortification of your mind, and of your will: Take this for certain; truly, the more your own mind and will is alive, the more you will be unwilling to ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt. Well, how ſhall I mortifie my own will? Afflictions will help you do it. Affliction! Whats affliction? Affliction is all that that is contrary to ones will; thereby God eats out the core of our wills. Whenſoever therefore you meet with any affliction, pray over it, and beg that God would eat out the core of your wills thereby: and the more the core of your wills is eaten out, the more willing will you be to ſuffer for the name of Jeſus Chriſt.
Eleventhly, And then to draw to a concluſion, that you may be willing to ſuffer for the Name of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, lay theſe things and this great reward wiſhly upon your hearts, and thereby you will be made more willing. You ſee how it is with a man that's going to Court, he rides through this plaſh, and the other plaſh; I am going to Court, and there I ſhall be made a man, if I get but thither. Why, truly we are going to the Court of the King of Kings, and theſe ſufferings that we meet withal, are the plaſhes by the way. But Chriſtians, there's enough in heaven to pay for all. Luther ſaid, Let him be miſerable, that can be miſerable. So you that ſuffer for the Name of Chriſt, you cannot be miſerable, Chriſt hath pronounc'd you bleſſed, and you ſhall be bleſſed: and you ſee what a reward here is in the Text; An hundred fold in this life, and in the world to come life everlaſting.
I ſhall only ſay, this is the parting Speech: There is no loſs in looſing for Jeſus Chriſt; whatſoever you do looſe for Chriſt, you ſhall find it infinitely in Chriſt: Chriſt and a little, is a great deal. The only way to have a mercy, is to be content to go without it: And the only way to prevent a miſery, is to be willing to endure it. Now therefore, if you would prevent ſuffering, be willing to ſuffer for the Name of Jeſus Chriſt.
And thus you ſee what the means are to be made willing. And ſo I have done with this Anſwer of Chriſt. In this part of the Anſwer you ſee how we may be made willing to ſuffer for Chriſt; and in the cautional part, ſome of you heard how we ſhould ſo order our ſufferings, as that they might turn to a good account.
Now, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.